System and method for generating electricity

Abstract

A method of generating electricity including the steps of providing a system including a vertical oriented tower having an intake opening, a scoop that is moveably mounted to a base, the scoop being in fluid communication with the intake opening of the tower, a fluid-activated mechanism that is automatically oriented in response to direction of fluid flow, the fluid-activated mechanism being operatively connected to the scoop so that orientation of the fluid-activated mechanism in response to the fluid flow angles the scoop in the direction of the fluid flow, and one or more turbines that receive the fluid flow directed by the scoop to generate electricity. The fluid-activated mechanism is oriented in response to the fluid flow. The scoop is angled based on the oriented fluid-activated mechanism so that the fluid flows into the scoop. The fluid is directed through the scoop into the intake opening of the tower and through the tower towards the one or more turbines for generation of electricity.

1. A method of generating electricity, comprising the steps of:
 providing one or more first subsystems, each first subsystem comprising:
 a vertical oriented tower comprising an intake opening for receiving liquid flow; 
 a scoop that is moveably mounted to a base for directing the liquid flow to the intake opening of the tower; 
 a fluid-activated mechanism that is automatically oriented in response to direction of liquid flow, the fluid-activated mechanism being operatively connected to the scoop so that orientation of the fluid-activated mechanism in response to the liquid flow angles the scoop in the direction of the liquid flow; and 
 one or more turbines that receive the liquid flow directed by the scoop to generate electricity; and 
 
 orienting the fluid-activated mechanisms of the one or more first subsystems in response to the liquid flow; 
 angling the scoops of the one or more first subsystems based on the oriented fluid-activated mechanisms so that the liquid flows into the scoops of the one or more first subsystems; 
 directing the liquid through the scoops of the one or more first subsystems into the intake opening of the towers of the one or more first subsystems; 
 directing the liquid through the towers of the one or more first subsystems towards the one or more turbines of the one or more first subsystems for generation of electricity; 
 providing one or more second subsystems, each second subsystem comprising:
 a vertical oriented tower comprising an intake opening for receiving air flow; 
 a scoop that is moveably mounted to a base for directing the air flow to the intake opening of the tower; 
 a wind vane that is automatically oriented in response to direction of air flow, the wind vane being operatively connected to the scoop so that orientation of the wind vane in response to the air flow angles the scoop in the direction of the air flow; and 
 one or more turbines that receive the air flow directed by the scoop to generate electricity; 
 
 orienting the wind vanes of the one or more second subsystems in response to the air flow; 
 angling the scoops of the one or more second subsystems based on the oriented wind vanes of the one or more second subsystems so that the air flows into the scoops of the one or more second subsystems; 
 directing the air through the scoops of the one or more second subsystems into the intake opening of the towers of the one or more second subsystems; and 
 directing the air through the towers of the one or more second subsystems towards the one or more turbines of the one or more second subsystems for generation of electricity. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the size of the scoops of the one or more first subsystems to accommodate the liquid flow. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operatively connecting the one or more turbines of the one or more first subsystems to an electrical power gird. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending the generated electricity of the one or more first subsystems to an energy storage system. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the energy storage system is selected from the following types of energy storage systems: rechargeable batteries, superconducting magnetic energy storage systems, flywheels, supercapacitors, and pumped hydropower storage systems. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of orienting the fluid-activated mechanism comprises detecting direction of the liquid flow and orienting the fluid-activated mechanism based on the detected direction. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein, within the one or more first subsystems, the tower comprises at least one tube, and the step of directing the liquid through the tower comprises directing the liquid flow through the at least one tube. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein, within the one or more first subsystems, the turbine is disposed outside the tower, and the step of directing the liquid through the tower comprises directing the liquid through an outflow opening in the tower. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the size of the scoops of the one or more second subsystems to accommodate the air flow. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operatively connecting the one or more turbines of the one or more second subsystems to an electrical power gird. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending the generated electricity of the one or more second subsystems to an energy storage system. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the energy storage system is selected from the following types of energy storage systems: rechargeable batteries, superconducting magnetic energy storage systems, flywheels, supercapacitors, and pumped hydropower storage systems. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of orienting the wind vane comprises detecting direction of the air flow and orienting the wind vane based on the detected direction. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein, within the one or more second subsystems, the tower comprises at least one tube, and the step of directing the air through the tower comprises directing the air flow through the at least one tube. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein, within the one or more second subsystems, the turbine is disposed outside the tower, and the step of directing the air through the tower comprises directing the air through an outflow opening in the tower.